How to properly make a recuperator in your home. Air recuperator in a private house - independent production and installation. Recuperator for a private house: types and selection criteria

Recuperator is a universal device that is necessary to regulate two air flows simultaneously. For example, in winter it can be used to ventilate a room while keeping it warm. In the summer, it will prevent hot air from penetrating inside.

Principle of operation

The recuperator is used to refresh the room without losing heat and saving on heating appliances. The operating principle is as follows:

1. When you turn on the device, processing of warm air prevailing in the room;
2. Next, it is fed into a ceramic regenerator, automatically heating the equipment;
3. As soon as this happens, the second cycle of work is triggered. Street cold air is also supplied to the regenerator. Next, it is heated to room temperature;
4. Fresh, yet warm air, gets into the room.

The recuperator can operate in both manual and automatic modes. It has a built-in software device that independently determines when it needs to be turned on.

Types of recuperators

There are several types of devices with different levels of efficiency:

• Today it is one of the most common in Russia. It is mainly used in apartments and private houses. Its main advantage is that it can be built into any part of the air duct, it does not require complex maintenance, all air flows are directed in one direction and do not move. This recuperator also differs in its structure. The main unit is a cassette with two functioning channels. Between them there is a small steel sheet, which acts as a filter in the device;
• The rotary recuperator is used less often. As a rule, it can be seen in production and industrial enterprises. The main component of a device of this type is a cylinder made from layers of corrugated paper. The recuperator is divided into several compartments separated by a plate. During operation, the equipment rotates and heat exchange occurs. It is effective, high quality and fast-acting. The only drawback is the overall size;
• The water recuperator is used only to regulate the air flow in the supply ventilation systems. Warm flows are processed in the device using water or antifreeze. The device contains two units (exhaust and supply), which can operate at a distance from each other. The efficiency of this device is significantly lower than in previous versions. The main disadvantage is the need for additional pump installation;
• The roof-mounted heat exchanger is installed only on the roofs of buildings. It is not intended for indoor use. It is widely used in shopping malls, enterprises and production workshops.

The main advantage of the plate is that it can be built into any part of the air duct, it does not require complex maintenance, all air flows are directed in one direction and do not move

Manufacturing of a plate recuperator

The design of a plate recuperator is quite simple. Even a person without technical skills can independently produce such equipment.

To do this you will need the following:

• Galvanized sheet – 1 sheet, approximately 4 square meters;
• Silicone sealant;
• Metal scissors or grinder;
• Plywood or fiberboard;
• Mineral wool.

When everything you need is prepared, you can begin the procedure for creating the device. It consists of several basic steps:

The equipment is ready, now you need to place it near the ventilation. It is also recommended to equip it with an additional pressure sensor in order to improve the quality of work. It is installed at the level where heat exchange occurs.

To find out whether the assembled device is functioning correctly, you should use a small calculation to determine its power:

• Let a certain number P be taken as this indicator;
• To find it, you need to know the energy expended - Q. It will be equal to the product of three numbers: air flow (cubic meter per hour), the difference between the final and initial temperatures, a constant number of 0.335;
• You will also need to know the operating temperature of the device –dT.

Thus, the total power can be determined by the following formula:

Recuperator made of polycarbonate

A similar device can be made from cellular carbonate instead of galvanized sheet. For this you will need material about 4 mm thick. Such a device will also be effective, but it will be easy to assemble and cost minimal.

Manufacturing of a tubular recuperator

Creating a tubular recuperator is much more difficult. But this task can be done if you follow the instructions correctly.

For this you will need:

• Pipe, 160 mm thick. For example, a cylindrical piece of sewer will do;
• Adapter splitters (100mm);
• Aluminum corrugation (100 mm).

The process of creating a recuperator consists of several steps:

1. It is necessary to prepare the pipe, having previously polished it;
2. Next, you need to stretch the corrugated paper as much as possible and fill the pipe with it so that it is in the shape of a spiral;
3. Now you need to seal it corrugated holes from open ends;
4. Last stage of the build process– this is the installation of adapters and running air ducts through them.

Corrugated paper in this design acts as a “heat keeper”.

Manufacturing of a rotary recuperator

Before starting the process of creating a recuperator, it is necessary to calculate the power of its operation. This will determine the payback period and overall performance.

According to the formula:

C is the specific heat capacity,

M – mass of heated air,

dT – temperature difference.

It is quite difficult to make a rotary recuperator with your own hands. As a rule, only people with technical education undertake such a task. To work you will need:

Once everything needs to be prepared, you can begin to do the work. Like any other equipment creation procedure, it consists of several basic steps:

1. A metal base should be prepared. A sewer pipe may be suitable. It is advisable to use the largest material possible, then the device itself will work several times more efficiently. It must first be polished with improvised means and brought to the appropriate shape. It is also recommended to first cut off all excess using a grinder;
2. Next, you should prepare the corrugated steel, cut it into several identical parts. Their size directly depends on the length of the previously prepared cylindrical body. Now you need to fill the internal space with these sheets in layers;
3. Next, you need to create additional insulation. A small amount of mineral wool will help to do this. It is recommended to distribute it evenly over the inner walls;
4. The last step remains– mask all internal and external seams with a sealing solution;
5. It is worth noting that, most likely, the rotary heat exchanger will be located on the street side. The influence of external factors can lead to corrosion and other negative effects. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to periodically apply a varnish coating to the device.

The recuperator is almost ready, now all that remains is to make a few holes in order to pass the air duct through them. The equipment will operate due to the cylindrical body. It will make a constant rotational movement. Due to this, either warm or cold air will periodically enter the device, respectively heating and cooling the entire equipment as a whole.

In order for the device to work as efficiently as possible, you should pay attention to a few tips created by a topic whose life is directly related to the assembly of recuperators:

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Among our European neighbors, the concept of “recuperator” has long been in use. Thrifty Germans and thorough Englishmen have long and successfully used this simple device for economical consumption of thermal energy in their homes. Why do you need a recuperator for a private home? What is the principle of its operation? How much does the finished device cost? Is it possible to make and install such a device with your own hands? The answer to these and other questions about the recuperator is in this material.

Recuperator - a small device in the ventilation duct

Air recovery can solve two problems at once:

• provide fresh air access to the house;
• significantly reduce heating costs.

Frame houses, the use of plastic windows and doors, and modern finishing methods make the premises more and more airtight. On the one hand, this is not bad; there are no drafts or heat loss in the house. On the other hand, mold can develop in a sealed room, and the lack of fresh air inflow provokes the proliferation of pathogenic microbes and bacteria.

In which rooms is an air exchanger especially needed:

Recuperator: what is it?

The term "recuperation" means reverse movement. In the device of the same name, air exchange occurs between the room and the street. The heated air masses, passing through the device, partially warm the incoming flow. This is not simply ventilating a room using a window, when all the heat is irretrievably lost. Recuperation is a method of ventilation with economical heat consumption.

The device has a built-in heat exchanger that retains room heat and releases it to the incoming air.Ventilation with heat recovery is primarily beneficial to owners of private cottages with an individual heating system. They bear the cost of each kilowatt of thermal energy, so they can really feel the savings from using this device.

A recuperator for an apartment may not be so relevant in terms of savings. But there is another benefit from using this device: it effectively purifies the air coming from the street from urban pollutants and allergens harmful to health.

Helpful information! Recuperation renews the atmosphere in the house every couple of hours, providing access to filtered air, warmed in winter and cool in summer.

The air exchange device consists of two chambers. Moving through these chambers, air flows do not mix.

Note! Recuperators are an integral part of the ventilation system and their efficiency is directly related to the operation of the entire network.

Installing a ventilation system with a recuperator will cost more than a conventional design, but these costs pay off fairly quickly. Taking into account the savings on air conditioning and heating of a home at thirty percent, the installation of a recuperator pays for itself in an average of three to four years. And this does not take into account the undoubted health benefits of the entire family, because the cost of drugs for allergies and acute respiratory infections will be reduced by an order of magnitude.

Recuperator for a private house: types and selection criteria

Recuperation systems are divided into several types:

• plate devices;
• rotor systems;
• roof devices.

Each type of air exchanger is designed for specific conditions and has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Plate devices

These are the most common heat exchangers, have a simple design and are exceptionally reliable. A plate heat exchanger for a private home has an efficiency factor of up to 78 percent for models made of plastic and metal and up to 92 for devices with cellulose heat exchangers. The difference is due to the fact that cellulose exchangers return not only heat, but also moisture in the air flow, and moisture, as is known, has a higher heat capacity.

Note! All air exchangers, except cellulose ones, require drainage to remove excess water.

Advantages of plate devices:

• reliability in operation;
• Autonomous operation without additional energy consumption.

Flaws:

Rotary devices

Rotary air exchangers are the second most popular type of device. The device is made of aluminum and driven by an electric motor.

The drive belt rotates the flat and zigzag rotor elements. Each part of the device, when moving through the exhaust zone, heats up and transfers heat to the incoming flow.

Pros of the rotary system:

• high efficiency;
• maintaining the humidity of air flows;
• compact dimensions allowing the device to be used in small ventilation systems;
• The rotor does not freeze even in severe frosts.

Minuses:

• dependence on electricity.

Roof air exchangers

Heat recovery in ventilation systems using plate or rotor devices can be carried out using a special roof installation. Typically, such highly efficient systems are installed in large rooms that do not have internal divisions. These are mainly hangars, large garages or retail outlets.

The obvious advantage of this type of air exchange is its efficiency, but such devices are not suitable for a private house or apartment.

Making an air recuperator for your home with your own hands

A simple plate recuperator can be made by yourself.

To work you need to prepare:

Sequencing:

• Square plates measuring 200 by 300 millimeters need to be made from sheet material. In total, seven dozen blanks will be required. The main thing in this stage is accuracy and strict adherence to the parameters.
• A cork coating is glued to the workpieces on one side. One workpiece is left without coating.
• The blanks are assembled into a cassette, rotating each subsequent one by ninety degrees. The plates are fastened together with glue. The uncoated plate is the last one.
• The cassette needs to be fastened with a frame; a corner is used for this.
• All joints are carefully treated with silicone.
• Flanges are attached to the sides of the cassette, a drainage hole is drilled at the bottom and a tube is inserted to remove moisture.
• So that the device can be periodically removed, guides for the corners are made on the walls of the case.
• The resulting device is inserted into a housing, the walls of which are insulated with mineral wool material.
• All that remains is to insert the air exchanger into the ventilation system.

Advice! To monitor the formation of ice on the path of warm air, it is better to install a pressure sensor. It will give a signal if the movement of the air mass is difficult.

Video: example of recuperator assembly

The best household recuperators

Considering that plate heat exchangers require the organization of a full-fledged ventilation duct, and not every private house has such an opportunity, it is recommended to install small rotary models for domestic needs.

Table 1. Budget models of household recuperators

Image	Model	Case diameter, mm	Efficiency, %	Power consumption, W	Air volume, cubic meters	Average cost, rub
	Prana-150	150	91	7-32	25-115	21000
	Prana-200G	200	88	7-32	25-135	22600
	TeFO 1	110	75	3,6-36	35	13000
	TeFO 3	125	75	52	91-100	23000
	Clean air 16-K	125	78	2-16	70	15900
	Clean air 16-M	150	80	2-24	120	17900
	Mitsubishi Electric VL-100 U-E	168	77	26	105	18110
	Vents TwinfreshRA-50	280	90	46	50	18540

My house in which I have lived for 9 years has been with natural ventilation, and 80% of the time it had the windows slightly open. Why do you say? the house is quite airtight and consumes very little for heating, ventilation was done, just hoods were in the form of fans in the bathroom and technical room, but air flow is still needed, on the 1st floor in the living room a KIV valve was installed, and on the second floor there were two window valves, but There was not enough flow through the valves, so the windows had to be opened slightly.

In extreme cold, their valves blew quite strongly, so... there is an adjustment to cover them, and accordingly the ventilation worsened.

To assess the quality of ventilation, I use a carbon dioxide concentration meter that a person exhales; accordingly, if the CO2 concentration is normal, then other indicators will be normal.

There are some very good articles on the topic of CO2 concentration:

CO 2:ventilation system efficiency criterion

On the issue of normalizing air exchange by CO 2 content in outdoor and indoor air

One year of supply ventilation operation

Supply ventilation in a country house

Carbon dioxide - an invisible danger

And so it became clear that it was necessary to do supply and exhaust ventilation.

It was decided to do the amount of air by trial and error according to ABOK standards, because the most “scientific engineering” and in general regarding the CO2 sensor they are very real and truthful.

Regulatory documents "ABOK" - hour "h"

According to the norms

The air exchange rate is 0.35 1/h, but not less than 30 m 3 /h per person. 3 m 3 / m 2, if the total area of ​​the apartment excluding the area of ​​summer premises is less than 20 m 2 / person.

To calculate the air flow rate, m 3 /h, by multiplicity, the volume of the premises should be determined by the total area of ​​the apartment without taking into account the area of ​​the summer premises. Apartments with air-tight enclosing structures require additional air flow for fireplaces and mechanical hoods.

In general, I decided to divide the house into two parts, and first deal with the ventilation of the second floor, because... there are bedrooms and a workplace and a children's room, that is, I spend quite a lot of time there, and the main pollution is there.

For 3 people, an influx of 90 to 150 cubic meters of air is needed, depending on the concentration of CO2 on the streets.

If I simply supply 90-150 cubic meters of heating to a comfortable 22 degrees, I will spend 0.34 W x 90 m3 x (22 g - (-3 g)) x 24 hours x 213 days = 3910 kWh per year (at an average temperature of the heating period -3 g ) at my electricity tariff it will be 4.54 x 3910 = 17,751 rubles per year, which in general is quite a lot, taking into account the fact that for all electricity with heating, lighting, everyday life. appliances, hot water supply, etc. I pay about 65 thousand rubles a year.

Therefore, of course, it is not reasonable to simply do forced ventilation; accordingly, it was decided to install a recuperator.

There are many different types of recuperators; I will not describe the designs of each and compare them. I decided for myself that supply and exhaust ventilation should satisfy the following conditions.

1. maintenance as low and simple as possible
2. not significantly affect the network load, that is, without additional heating
3. it should not be audible, because the influx goes into the bedrooms, then I don’t want any noise at all (the laptop fan is loud and unpleasant for me)
4. cheap and easy

The house has a small attic, and it was decided to put the entire system there. But because it is a cold installation body and the air ducts must be well insulated.

Air supply.

Anemostats with a diameter of 150 mm are embedded in the ceiling of the rooms. The larger the diameter, the lower the air speed, the less noise and the less air movement is felt.

A sensor from a thermometer will be glued inside; it is not required, just for statistics.

Air duct routes.

I laid routes through the attic with flexible insulated air ducts. This is not the best solution, because... they have a very high resistance, but I took this into account when selecting fans.

In general, air ducts are:

plastic - cheap, very low resistance, plastic static is unknown (they will probably gather dust the fastest)

galvanization - more expensive, low resistance, difficult installation

flexible - easy installation, inexpensive, very high resistance (recommended only on bends or in small areas), good noise reduction

The exhaust is carried out on the roof, the inflow comes from the side of the wall.

The second pipe is for ventilation of the attic.

All routes in the attic are air ducts with a diameter of 100 mm, so that the maximum speed in the air ducts can be achieved, because... the higher the speed, the less heat loss will be (the attic is cold), but the speed should not be more than 8 m/s, because extra noise will appear.

In general, judging by the rules for installing ventilation, the diameter of the air ducts is quite easy to calculate

duct area x 3600 = number of m3 per hour at a flow speed of 1 m/s

for branches from it to remove noise of 2-3 m/s

at exits from gratings, etc. 1-2 m/s

Heat exchanger:

I settled on a plate heat exchanger because... this is the simplest option.

• Plastic
• Aluminum
• Membrane

What to choose? Aluminum is simple and reliable, but difficult to glue, cut, etc. Very thin foil is difficult to fix; thick foil is rare and expensive. In general, it’s easier to buy an aluminum heat exchanger ready-made from the factory. The membrane is even more complicated, but probably the best solution, the price of ready-made ones starts from 250 euros, it’s difficult to make one yourself in a small size due to maintaining the distances between the plates, I still haven’t figured out how.

But now there is a lot of plastic, plastic is used by such manufacturers as Vents or for example sistemair. The best and most affordable solution is cellular polypropylene (not to be confused with PVC and polycarbonate), the wall thickness is the smallest of plastics, the channel cross-section is any to choose from, the cost is minimal.

And so the choice is made.

Cellular polypropylene sheets are cut into pieces measuring 300x300, thickness 3 mm

The 3 mm gap between the sheets is made by inserting a piece of the same plastic. Everything is glued perfectly with any odorless sealant based on MS-polymer.

The honeycomb cells are located towards the supply air, and the solid cavity is located towards the exhaust air so that the condensate can drain freely.

The heat exchanger turned out to be 300x300x300 mm in size with a pitch of 3 mm.

Heat exchange area 7.6 m2

Air speed in the heat exchanger at 150 m3/h - 1 m/s

Frame.

I’ll tell you right away to make a housing for the recuperator from several heat exchangers or larger ones, preferably from plywood covered with insulation. But my heat exchanger is not very large and not heavy, and the most important thing is that good thermal insulation is required, because... be in a cold attic.

In general, the body was made from two sheets of XPS (extruded polystyrene foam), glued and tightened with self-tapping screws while the glue was tacked.

The lid is pressed using self-tapping screws screwed into these dowels

The xps case with a wall thickness of 5 cm is quite durable and lightweight.

The housing has 4 holes for air ducts with a diameter of 100 mm, two filters are installed for the exhaust and supply, filtek class G4 on the mesh

All joints are sealed with sealant based on MS-polymer (Leroy-Merlin is full)

Temperature and humidity sensors are also installed (but more on that later)

On the side (in the photo), in reality it will be at the bottom, there is a pipe glued in for condensate drainage.

Heat exchanger installation

My choice fell on the last fourth option.

To measure parameters I use these tools:

The heat exchanger endured several freezes and defrosts, and overall performed well.

p.s. I didn’t make the heat exchanger myself, but ordered it from a friend, I didn’t have enough time (so basically anyone can do it, but it takes time and a little patience)

Having analyzed the length of the routes and the losses in the recuperator, the Vents Pro TT-100 fans suited my performance

with them as planned

the inflow was 90 m3/h at speed 1, 130 m3/h at speed 2

exhaust at speed 1 110 m3/h, at speed 2 150 m3/h

the difference between the supply and exhaust was 20 m3/h due to the different lengths of the supply lines, but in general this is not much and a slightly discharged pressure in the house is not bad.

The parameters of the heat exchanger compared with serial products are slightly worse, but not more than 7%, which was very pleasing, compared with aluminum heatex H1 heat exchangers of the same size.

The parameters turned out to be the following:

at speed 1 - recovery efficiency 66-74% (not taking into account a small imbalance), pressure loss at the exhaust 9 Pa, at the supply 7 Pa, start of freezing ~ -7 C

at speed 2 - recovery efficiency 62-70% (not taking into account a small imbalance), pressure loss at the exhaust 12 Pa, at the supply 9 Pa, start of freezing ~ -10 C

Based on the data obtained and compared with data from other manufacturers, I can now quite accurately calculate a plastic heat exchanger for different air flow rates. If anyone needs it, ask. I can also help with the selection of fans.

I see real data like this

A little about automation.

The first automation option was the simplest.

This is a differential relay. pressure, the relay measures the pressure difference and if the heat exchanger begins to freeze, the pressure increases and the supply fan turns off, so that it does not immediately turn on as the pressure returns to normal, it is advisable to use a simple delay timer so that it does not work for about 20 minutes.

pressure switch for example

Differential pressure switch DPS-500 N

If someone has a ground heat exchanger, then all this automation is not needed, it will not freeze.

Total costs:

heat exchanger (material + work) - 5,000 rubles

air ducts, anemostats, etc. — 3000 rub.

clamps, tape and small things, glue, sealant - 1000 rubles

xps — 500 rub.

differential pressure relay - 1500 rub.

timer — 1500 rub.

fans vents tt pro 100 2 pcs - 6000 rub.

total: 18,500 rubles for the entire ventilation system

If you make the heat exchanger yourself, then about minus 2 tr.

Conclusions:

With supply and exhaust ventilation with heat recovery, the concentration of carbon dioxide CO2 is kept at speed 1 within 800-880 ppm, with three residents.

There is no noise from the ventilation, the inflow is not audible at all, and the exhaust can only be heard in the bathroom. The result is excellent.

I’ll tell you about the control system separately (in the next article).

To be continued….

Homemade air recuperator - all the pros and cons, manufacturing instructions. It is impossible to imagine comfortable living in a country house without a well-equipped ventilation system, since it is the key to ensuring that your home will have a healthy microclimate. And yet, most owners are wary of installing it because they are afraid of receiving exorbitant bills for electrical energy. If the same doubts begin to torment you, we advise you to consider such a device for a private home as a recuperator.

This is a small unit in size, which is combined with supply and exhaust ventilation and it eliminates the excessive consumption of electrical energy in winter, when additional heating is required for the air. The most affordable and effective option is to make an air recuperator yourself. What kind of device is this, and on what principle does it work? This is what we will talk about.

Process concept

So what is heat recovery? This is a special heat exchange process in which unheated air from the street is heated due to the outgoing air flow from the room.

Due to this organizational scheme, the installation will save heat in the house. In a short period of time and with little electrical energy consumption, an ideal microclimate in the house will be created.

Economic feasibility of a recuperative heat exchanger depends on other factors:

Note, An air recuperator for a home is an important, but far from the only element that is required for effective ventilation in a residential area. Ventilation together with recovery is a complex system that functions only if it works in a professional “bundle”.

Device efficiency

As the ambient temperature drops, the efficiency of the unit decreases, but it is still important to make an air recuperator for a private house with your own hands, since if the difference is significant, the heating system will be overloaded. If it is only 0 degrees outside the window, then air with a temperature of +16 degrees will enter the pulp. Household units easily cope with their task. The efficiency of the device is easy to calculate if you use the following formula:

Ƞ =(tfast – tstreets)/(troom – tstreets)

• tfast– this is the temperature of the incoming air (after recuperation).
• tstreets- outside temperature.
• troom– temperature in the house according to recovery.

Modern devices are distinguished not only by high efficiency indicators and features of use, but also by design. Let's look at the most popular solutions and their features.

Main types of design

Experts pay special attention to the fact that heat recovery systems with ventilation come in several varieties:

• Lamellar.
• Rotary.
• With separate coolants.
• Tubular.

So let's take a closer look at them.

Lamellar view differs from other types in that its design contains aluminum sheets. This installation is considered the most balanced even in terms of cost and thermal conductivity (efficiency from 45% to 72%). The device is also distinguished by its ease of implementation, affordable price and the absence of any moving elements. No special preparation is required for installation. You can carry it out without any difficulties at home, with your own hands.

Rotary devices are the most popular. Their design necessarily includes a rotation shaft, which is powered by electricity, and 2 more channels for air exchange with countercurrents. How exactly does such a mechanism work? One of the sections of the rotor begins to warm up from the air, and then it turns and the heat transfers to the cold masses, which are concentrated in the adjacent channel. But, despite the high level of efficiency, such an installation has a number of very noticeable disadvantages:

• Heavy weight.
• Regular repairs and maintenance are required.
• It is difficult to repair the device with your own hands and make it operational again.
• Air masses mix.
• Dependence on electricity.

Note, that a ventilation device with tubular elements, as well as separate coolants, is almost impossible to make at home, even if you have all the drawings and diagrams.

DIY recuperator

An air recuperator is not difficult to make if you choose the right design. The simplest in terms of implementation will be the plate system. This model has both great advantages and no less noticeable disadvantages. If we talk about the advantages, then even A self-made air recuperator for a private home will give you:

• High level of efficiency.
• No connection to electricity required.
• Simplicity and reliability of design.
• Availability of materials and functional elements.
• Long service life.

But before you start making an air recuperator with your own hands, check all the advantages and disadvantages of the model. The main disadvantage is icing in severe frost. Outdoor humidity levels are not as high as indoors, and if left unaddressed, they will begin to turn into condensation. During frost, high humidity will contribute to the formation of ice.

There are several ways to protect the recuperator device from freezing. These are special small-sized solutions that differ in efficiency and method of implementation:

• Thermal impact on the structure, and thanks to this, ice will not linger inside the system (and the efficiency will be reduced by 20%).
• The removal of air masses from the plates by mechanical means results in forced heating of the ice.
• Supplementing the ventilation system with cellulose cassettes that will absorb excess moisture. It will be redirected to the home, and not only will condensation be eliminated, but also a humidification effect will be achieved.

Most experts agreed that cellulose cassettes are the best solution today. They will function in any weather, and there will be no electricity consumption, no sewer drain or condensate container required.

Tools and accessories

So, what should you prepare before you start assembling a plate-type home unit? Experts advise paying attention to the following materials:

1. Aluminum sheets (polycarbonate or textolite are suitable). Please note that the thinner the material, the better the heat transfer will be. In this case, supply ventilation will function better.
2. Wooden slats (1 cm wide and 0.2 cm thick). They must be placed between adjacent plates.
3. Mineral wool (thickness up to 4 cm).
4. or metal for making the device body.
5. Corner.
6. Glue.
7. Hardware.
8. Sealant.
9. Fan.
10. 4 flanges (according to the pipe cross-section).

Important! The diagonal of the housing must correspond to the width of the heat exchanger. As for the height, it must be adjusted to the total number of plates and their thickness when connected to the slats.

Blueprints

Sheets of metal are used to cut squares, which should have sides from 20 to 30 cm in size. In this case, try to choose the optimal value, taking into account what kind of ventilation system was installed in your home. There must be at least 75 sheets. To keep them even, use only 2-3 sheets at a time.

To fully implement energy recovery in the system, wooden slats should be prepared according to the dimensions of the sides of the square. After this, carefully treat them with drying oil, and then glue each wooden element onto the other side of the metal square. One of the squares must remain unpasted.

To make air recovery and ventilation more efficient, each edge of the slats on top should be thoroughly coated with adhesive. The individual elements must be assembled into a sandwich of squares. It is very important that the second, third and remaining squares are rotated 90 degrees relative to the previous one. Thanks to this method of making an air recuperator with your own hands, you will alternate the channels and their perpendicular position.

After this, the upper square, on which there will be no slats, should be fixed with glue. When using corners, the structure should be carefully pulled together and attached. In order for the heat recovery process in the ventilation system to be carried out without air loss, the cracks should be filled with sealant. Make flange mounts. Place the manufactured device in the housing. Several corner guides should be made in advance on the walls of the device. The heat exchanger must be placed so that its corners rest against the side walls, and then the design will resemble a diamond.

Residues in the form of condensation will remain at the bottom. The main task is to obtain two exhaust channels that are isolated from each other. Inside the structure of elements in the form of plates there must be a mixture of air masses. A small hole should be made at the bottom to drain the condensate through the hose. Make four holes in the structure for the flanges.

Leave a separate place at the entrance for filters. The structure must be covered with mineral wool, and then a fan must be installed, and the device itself must be combined with the ventilation system.

Device calculation

In order to determine the power of the recuperator for a specific space, use the following formula:

Ǫ =0,355 * L*(troom – tbeginning)

• Ǫ – productivity (m 3 /sec).
• L is the total amount of supply air that should be supplied according to the norm for 1 person (65 m 3 /hour for those who are in the room permanently, and 25 m 3 for those who are in the room temporarily).
• (t room - t start) - this is an indicator of the difference between the temperature that is required and the one outside.

For example, in order to heat the air in a room to +25 degrees, where one person is constantly present, the following calculation is required: Ǫ=0.355*60*25=532.5 W.

To determine the efficiency of the unit, it will be enough to find out the temperature at the three main entry points into the system:

Efficiency=(trecuperation – tstreet)/ (thouse – tstreet)

• Temperature coming from the street before recovery ( tstreet).
• Temperature entering the house after recovery ( trecup).
• Temperature leaving the house before recovery ( thouse).

Conclusion

Now you know what a recuperator is and how important it is for a modern ventilation system. Such devices are much more often installed in country houses and public facilities. Now recuperators have become in demand, and if you wish, you can even make the device yourself from scrap materials, as described in the article.

Clean and fresh indoor air is the key to well-being, health and sound sleep. To ensure the supply of fresh air, it is not necessary to ventilate a private house or apartment in the usual way. For this, there are special devices that operate 24 hours a day and provide continuous ventilation of the room - recuperators

Principle of operation

Operating principle of the air recovery device

A recuperator is a technical device in which heat exchange occurs between air flows leaving and entering the room through a supply, forced or exhaust ventilation system. In this case, the air flows do not mix.

In winter, a warm flow of air leaving the room when passing through the structure recuperator heats working elements. The cold air flow entering the ventilation system, passing through the recuperator, is heated due to heat exchange with the working elements.

When the temperature outside the room is higher than inside, the reverse process occurs. The warm air flow is cooled in recuperator thanks to working elements, through which cool exhaust air passed.

When compared with a conventional ventilation system, the presence recuperator allows you to save up to 2/3 thermal ene rgy. This reduces energy consumption by 30–40%, which reduces the cost of central heating, heating equipment and air conditioning.

Types of structures

Rotary recuperator and its operation diagram

Structurally, the recuperator is a rectangular, square or round block, on both sides of which there are openings for entering the supply and exhaust ventilation ducts.

Depending on the design of the block and its constituent elements The recuperator is divided into the following types:

• Rotary - a device with a rotating rotor in a stainless or galvanized steel housing. The rotor rotates around a horizontal axis due to the power supply. The working elements are aluminum corrugated tapes wound on a special shaft. During rotation, the plates come into contact with the warm and cold flow of air mass. Rotary efficiency recuperator- before 85%. Some of the main disadvantages of the device are its large size and the presence of moving elements that wear out and require periodic replacement.

  Air recovery device with working elements in the form of plates

• Plate - the most popular type of recuperator. It consists of thin panels connected and neatly stacked on top of each other with a small ventilation gap. Metal panels are heated by warm air that passes through the device. The panels transfer the accumulated energy to the cold flow through heat exchange. Device efficiency is 40–65%. They are distinguished by high reliability and the ability to operate without energy consumption.

  Recuperator with steel tube construction

• Tubular - a device consisting of metal tubes with a diameter of up to 10 mm, arranged in a cylindrical air duct. The principle of operation is similar to that of a plate recuperator. Heated exhaust air passes through the tubes, giving off part of the thermal energy, and cold air, moving in the space between the tubes, takes away part of the heat. Due to its simple design, the recuperator is highly reliable and takes up little space.

  Recirculating water heat exchanger for ventilation in public places

• Recirculating water - a device with an intermediate heat exchanger in the form of a liquid. Typically, distilled water or antifreeze is used. Unlike other types, circulating the recuperator has a more complex design. The liquid circulates through the channels between the exhaust and supply channels due to the injection pump. Efficiency recuperator- before 65%.

In large public spaces, roof coverings are used. air flow recuperators, which are installed in an existing ventilation system. roof efficiency recuperator Not exceeds 65–68%, but due to its small size and high reliability, the device is ideal for use in cluttered rooms. Not suitable for work in a residential building or apartment.

Video: what is air recovery

How to choose for private housing

The plate heat exchanger is ideal for use in private and country houses

The efficiency of the device directly affects the amount of stored thermal energy, service life and reliability recuperator. Rotor designs are the most efficient, but they involve many moving parts and require electricity. Plate and tubular recuperators have lower efficiency, but they are silent and do not require power supply for their operation.

Choice recuperator for private housing first and foremost should be based on the owner’s requirements and take into account what kind of ventilation system is present in the house. For a residential building, the optimal supply and exhaust ventilation device is a rotary heat exchanger.

This system will have sufficient power, capable of not only carrying out heat exchange between air flows, but also regulating the level of humidity of the supplied air by regulating the speed of the device.

Ventilator with heat recovery for an apartment

If the house area is small, then instead of a rotary recuperator Can install the device with metal plates. This will make the system not only more reliable, but will also help maintain the autonomy of the supply ventilation.

For standard apartments, one of the most important requirements when choosing a recuperator is its dimensions. In most apartments, the ventilation system is represented only by a common house hood, and fresh air is supplied through normal ventilation.

For apartments, the best choice would be to install supply and exhaust valves or air recovery units. These are compact devices that are mounted on the wall. The control unit is equipped with a remote control, which allows you to set the optimal parameters for ventilation and air heating.

System power calculation

Ventilator for large rooms with high power

Dimensions and power recuperator affect device performance. The larger the area of ​​the ventilated room, the more powerful a recuperator will be required. Therefore, before purchasing a device, you should calculate the power recuperator.

For this, the formula is used: Q = 0.335 x L x (T 1 – T 2), where:

• Q (W) – device power;
• L (m 3 / h) – the volume of air necessary for normal human life. According to the norm, one person requires 60 m 3 / h;
• Т 1 (о С) – air temperature after recovery;
• Т 2 (о С) – air temperature before recovery.

For example, let's calculate the power recuperator for apartment, where 3 people live. The temperature of the air transported to the premises must be at least 20 o C, and air supplied from the street with a temperature of -10 o C. Q = 0.335 x 180 x 32 = 1929.6 W.

When making calculations, you should take the minimum possible temperature (on average over 5 years), which was observed in the region where installation is planned recuperator. If the device is not planned to be used as the main source of heating the room, then the temperature indicators are selected individually.

Manufacturing of plate recuperator air for up to with your own hands

Making a plate recuperator with your own hands

An air recuperator is expensive equipment designed for a long period of use. The payback period can vary from 3–8 years, depending on the initial cost of the unit. If possible, you can make an air recovery device yourself. For this purpose, a design based on metal plates is best suited.

Advantages and disadvantages

To the advantages of plate recuperator can be classified as:

• simple and reliable design that does not require replacement of working elements during operation;
• simple installation technology without the use of specialized tools;
• Efficiency up to 80% depending on air parameters;
• minimum energy consumption for the operation of the supply and exhaust fans;
• long service life due to the absence of moving parts and wear of parts;
• possibility of upgrading by adding more plates.
• in the absence of electricity, air is transported through the ventilation system due to natural draft.

The main disadvantage of plate recuperator is education condensation on working elements. At low air temperatures, moisture freezes, which leads to a drop in ventilation capacity. To solve the problem, special devices are used that heat the structure recuperator.

Necessary materials

Material for assembling plate heat exchanger

For the production of plate The recuperator will require the following material:

• galvanized metal 0.7–1.5 mm thick, textolite, polypropylene or polycarbonate with a total area of ​​7–8 m2;
• thin wooden slats, cork backing or plexiglass 2–3 mm thick;
• stainless metal, plastic, plywood or particle board;
• plastic or metal flange for the air duct in the amount of 4 pcs.;
• steel corner 20×20 mm;
• silicone sealant;
• galvanized screws.

For uniform air circulation, you will need to purchase 2 fans of the required power. As filters, you can use special paper products for ventilation, which require replacement every 3–4 months.

Manufacturing technology

Gluing an insulating gasket onto a metal plate

Before production recuperator required Prepare a jigsaw, a hacksaw, a screwdriver, a hammer, a construction knife, gloves and safety glasses. Plate manufacturing technology recuperator comprises the following:

1. Sheet metal is cut using a hacksaw into plates measuring 20×30, 30×30 or 30×40 cm. The size of the plates depends on the dimensions and design power recuperator. It is desirable that the total area of ​​the prepared plates be at least 3–4 m2.
2. Gaskets 1–1.5 cm wide are cut from a thin wooden strip or cork substrate. The length is equal to the length of the plate. Next, 2 sheets of the same size as the plates are cut out of plywood or chipboard.
3. Three spacers are glued to each metal plate - one in the center and two on opposite sides. After gluing, all the plates are stacked. To do this, each strip is coated with universal glue, after which the panels are stacked on top of each other.
4. When laying, each subsequent panel is rotated 90 degrees. The resulting stack of panels is carefully pressed with a weight. To do this, a wooden spacer is placed on top, on which a load weighing 5–7 kg can be placed.
5. The steel angle is adjusted to the height of the stack of panels. A total of 4 blanks are required, which are screwed into the corners of the stack. Galvanized screws are used for fastening.

   Installing a heat exchanger in a wood or metal casing

6. Start assembling the body from plywood, chipboard, plastic or metal. The height and length of the body will be equal to the diagonal of the plate element, and the width will be equal to the height of the stack with plates. After cutting, the body is assembled using a screwdriver and a self-tapping screw.
7. After assembling the housing, markings are applied to its side walls for mounting flanges. The diameter of the hole must be equal to the cross-section of the air duct. A jigsaw is used for cutting. Finally, flanges are installed in the holes.
8. Guides for the heat exchange box are mounted inside the housing. Guides can be made from a corner. To fix the guide to the box, self-tapping screws and silicone sealant are used. Afterwards the assembly is carried out recuperator. The heat exchange unit is placed in the housing.

If space is provided in the housing, then paper or rag filters and fans are fixed at the air flow inlet. After assembly recuperator Can proceed to installation in the existing ventilation system.

How to make a tubular coaxial recuperator yourself

Tubular recuperator made of plastic pipes and aluminum tubes

According to the principle of operation, the tubular recuperator is similar to the plate type. As in the previous case, if you know how to work with power tools, you can assemble the system yourself.

Advantages and disadvantages of the design

The advantages of a device for air recovery based on tubes include:

• simple design without the use of moving parts;
• simple installation and quick maintenance during operation;
• Efficiency recuperator before 65–70% depending on conditions;
• small size and low noise level.

Significant disadvantages, like the lamellar recuperator, should be considered there is a risk of freezing in winter. As a result, the natural level of draft is disrupted, and fresh air poorly enters the room. To prevent this, an electric or water heater must be installed in the system.

Materials for making the device

To assemble a tubular recuperator required:

• aluminum or steel hollow tubes with a diameter of 3–5 mm;
• plastic channel for ventilation;
• plastic air duct connector;
• galvanized metal or plastic measuring 50x50 cm;
• silicone sealant.

The cross-section of the air duct and connectors is selected individually. It is optimal if the cross-section is equal to the diameter of the air duct in the ventilation system. If necessary, it is possible to install fans for air inlet and outlet.

Manufacturing process

Aluminum tubes and blanks for the manufacture of a heat exchanger

For the manufacture of recuperator You will need an electric drill, a hacksaw, calipers, a tape measure and a pencil. Sequence of actions in the manufacture of tubular recuperator is as follows:

1. The length of the plastic channel is adjusted. It is taken into account that the length of the working elements will be 15–20 cm shorter than the length of the body itself. A plastic connector is placed on the end of the pipe.
2. The internal cross-section of the plastic channel is measured using a caliper. Next, two blanks are cut out of plastic or metal, taking into account the measured cross-section. Holes are drilled in the workpiece with a cross-section equal to the outer diameter of the metal tube.
3. The steel tubes are trimmed according to the length of the body. The number of tubes is equal to the number of holes in the workpiece. For assembly, you will need to insert a pipe between two blanks. The gap between the hole and the tube is filled with sealant or epoxy glue.
4. After assembling the tubular heat exchanger, the structure is placed in a plastic housing. The joint between the workpiece and the body is sealed with epoxy glue. After drying, the structure is ready for installation.

As a fan, it is better to use duct-type products that are attached to one of the mounting ends recuperator. To install the structure described above, it is enough to use a connector of the appropriate cross-section, sealant and a crimp clamp.

Video: tubular recuperator with its own hands

How to find out the efficiency of a recuperation system

For self-production recuperator It is not always possible to assemble a device with maximum efficiency. Moreover, the efficiency recuperator depends on air temperature and humidity outside the room.

To calculate efficiency recuperator uses the formula: H = (tр - tу) / (tд - tу), where:

• t р – air temperature after recovery;
• t у – air temperature before recovery;
• t d – temperature of exhaust air leaving the room.

The total value should be multiplied by 100%. For example, let's calculate the efficiency of a device for specific conditions. Air temperature outside - 5 o C, after recovery - 17 o C, indoors - 24 o C. Efficiency = (17 – 5) / (24 – 5) = 0.63 * 100% = 63%.

Installation and connection of the recovery system

To connect the recuperator, a crimp clamp, sealant and aluminum adhesive tape are used

Installation process recuperator depends on the device type. In most cases, the device is mounted in a similar way to other components in the system. For example, to install a plate recuperator, the manufacturing technology of which was described above, you will need:

1. With the help of a partner, the structure rises to the ceiling. Markings are made for holes for attaching steel studs. Next, holes are drilled, plastic plugs are hammered in and steel pins of the required length are screwed in.
2. The recuperator rises again to the ceiling and is fixed at the desired height. To do this, a steel plate is mounted between the studs, which will hold recuperator on weight.
3. To connect the device to the duct system, you will need to treat part of the connecting flange and the crimp clamp with a solvent. After this, the inside of the clamp is coated with sealant and fixed to the flange. Install the air duct to the recuperator. The joints are taped with aluminum adhesive tape.

Video: installation of a ventilator with a recovery system